Has anyone caught upon the idea of UAV control over the internet? There are two ways I know it could be done. One way you could do it is over a self-made program that sends a digital signal over a web server. Servo output would be through a usb to servo controller board. Another way is that you could use a web cam to visually create a PCM signal with pulse lengthed sequenced lights and recieving solar cells to control the servo signal. The better way would probably be the first. The range would be limited to where there is internet which would be limited by cellular towers. You would have strapped aboard a small laptop with a laptop internet connect card in one usb slot and a webcam hooked in another usb.
Any thoughts? I'm already planning on accomplishing this idea for the coming summer.

Has this ever been successfully done before, considering it's possible?

You subject the control of the air vehicle to the whims and conditions that are in effect for each of the nodes your aircraft is being controlled by. Prolly not a good idea. An example can be found at the included link.

http://www.aolnews.com/world/article...-wins/19450090

I like the idea, but you could run into problems, like latency and connection problems.

I'm not sure this is useful, but it might help to see what others are doing.

http://www.skybotix.com/index.php?id=2&r=educational

Skitt